ONGC crude oil leak: Jayanthi Natarajan visits affected villages

NAGAPATTINAM (TN): Environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan visited the Keezhavelur and Karunavali villages of the district on Tuesday where more than 10 acres of farm land has been affected due to leakage of crude oil from an abandoned pipeline belonging to the ONGC.

The pipeline had been laid to take crude oil to the Narimanam refineries. The pipeline was abandoned as it developed cracks, officials said.

Natarajan told reporters she would speak to petroleum minister Veerappa Moily and arrange for adequate compensation for the affected farmers.

She said as the crude oil had seeped deep into the fields, it would not be possible for farmers to take up cultivation immediately.

"I think for the next three or four years, they would not be able to take up cultivation, and that loss (inability to take up cultivation) has to be taken care of," she said.

The minister held discussions with farmers regarding the extent of damage and assured them that assistance would be provided in getting suitable compensation.